42 
A NEW SPECIES OF TAPEWORM FROM A 
PARAKEET, BR0T0GERY8 TIRICA. 
By F. J. MEGGITT, M.Sc., 
Board of Agriculture and Fisheries Research Scholar, 
University of Birmingham. 
(With Plates VI and VII and 4 Text-figures.) 
Introduction. 
In the course of dissecting a parakeet {Brotogerys tirica) sent to me 
for examination, I came across several large tapeworms of the genus 
Cotugnia in the duodenum. They did not agree with any of the species 
previously described and, upon closer examination, showed so many 
points of difference as to justify the creation of a new species for them. 
I propose the name Cotugnia brotogerys for this species. 
The genus Cotugnia was created by Diamare (2) for those avian 
Cestodes which have a double set of male and female reproductive 
organs in each proglottis, and a rostellum armed with T-shaped hooks. 
It is distinguished from Dipylidium, the only other avian tapeworm with 
double reproductive organs and an armed rostellum, by this latter 
character. Its distribution is chiefly African, but it has also been found 
in North and South America: it is possible that it is also present in 
Europe as one of its hosts, Columha, is found there. Seven species 
are known, occurring in the cassowary [Bromacus), sand grouse {Pteroclus 
coronatus), parakeet {Brotogerys, Palaeornis), tmtle-dove {Columha turtur), 
fowl {Callus gallus), and Numida riJcwae. 
In order to indicate clearly and accurately the difference between 
the new species and the six species previously described, I have drawn 
up a table (Table A) giving the character of each species according to 
its proposer. 
It may be seen that the descriptions of two, Cotugnia inaequalis and 
Cotugnia digonopora, of these six species cannot be regarded as sufficient 
to establish the identity of the species. The latter has not yet had the 
